Kanye West's Graduation
I always look at the cover with a bit of lament, but with a swell of pride. Not because I consider myself that bear popping out of that monster’s mouth finally exiting an institution after proving yourself worthy of a degree in whatever you master. It’s more that the Syracuse University experience I had was just the trampoline upon which I’d be launched into the real world. Let me explain.
My experience at SU had its ups and downs, as most people can attest to in their own right (unless they were up all the time, but I’ll leave that up to the greenery). This past weekend, one of my friends on Facebook reminded me that it’s now been a certain amount of years since I’ve graduated from SU, and all the following comments went something like, “Wow, I’m getting old.” I said, “Are you serious? That’s great!” Of course, no one understands the social anarchist, so I’m resigned to pointing out some of the obvious and not-so-obvious reasons why graduating from college is much better than actually being there:
1. I don’t have to wonder whether the food I’m having will be hot or cold because I made it myself.
2. When I think of buying something, I don’t have to wait until my parents’ money or financial aid kicks in.
3. I don’t have to put a tie or a sock outside the door for any particular reason.
4. When I was dating outside of SU, I didn’t have to worry about seeing all the woman’s past “histories” lined up against the wall at some house party I went to.
5. When I say hi to people I know, I usually get to have an extended conversation with them, and not necessarily see them 5 to 6 times on that day as we pass by the Quad.
6. Look Mom, I got my own .com.
7. Hmm, let me see, work study money or a salary with benefits? I think I’ll take the latter.
8. Drinks are tastier when you don’t have to worry whether you’re getting a ride from South to North Campus before the bus stops.
9. I have a BS, not just writing it on my next term paper.
10. The bills suck, you’re not as limber or healthy as you used to be, much less recklessness, and the forgiveness for your sins wears thin, but that’s all replaced with a venerable wisdom that exalts you from the unwise decisions you once made.
Also, you’re at least a good 14,000 more dollars away from actually paying off those loands. Really couldn’t say that in college, could you?
Jose, who really likes “real life” much better …
Damian tagged me, and I must oblige. After all, I tagged almost everyone and their mother yesterday trying to get you all to help me with my most involved effort yet. Damian asked me which of my previous (and worst) jobs helped me prepare for the job I have currently (please tell me you didn’t miss that boat). Let me preface this by saying that I’ve never had a bad job because each job I’ve ever taken either advanced my transparent agenda or helped me put food on the table or paid for college expenditures. Now that that’s out of the way …
I have to say, after working as a camp counselor, concession stand worker at a big movie theatre, student security on campus, and database work at an educational research firm, none quite prepared me for my job or helped me get into the mentality of working with kids quite like my position as the Education Chair of La LUCHA at Syracuse U.
OK, so that wasn’t the worst job, nor was it something I was “hired” to do, but voted in. Of course, some of the readers who already knew me from previous incarnations wouldn’t consider it a job either as I never got paid monetarily. OK, fair enough, but here’s why I was more than prepared for my work with children after helping to lead that organization:
1. I had to learn quite quickly to not take things too personally. I had a big habit of doing it because, really, I put my whole person into that organization. Unfortunately, some people don’t view it the same way nor do they see my vision for the org. It prospered, but not like I’d hoped.
2. Making real change happen takes a lot of personal sacrifice. On the one hand, I had a drive very few matched when it came to that org, and when I wanted a real change to happen, I worked as hard as possible to make that change happen, sacrificing a whole lot of time I could have spent doing a whole lot of nothing.
3. I must make personal time. On the other hand, I also had to take some time for myself, and often, I didn’t know when to step back and do that.
4. Constant feedback and reflection are a vital part of becoming the best. At first, I didn’t take constructive criticism or any other type for that matter too well, because I thought the organization at the time needed a vast change and I was the only one who could bring it. Then, I was asked to get humble. And quick. I reflected on where that criticism came from and what much of that negativity would mean for the legacy I was trying to leave behind. But it wasn’t about me. It was about the org. Once I came to that epiphany, I started to work quietly, adjusting my game plan for the great good.
5. Sometimes, the best reaction is to let the chips fall where they may. There’d be days when certain people would bring a lot of negativity in my direction, trying to force me to react or fire back in a way that’s “unbecoming” of a leader. Most of it was immature, and they tried to intimidate me to step down. I wouldn’t. Rather than respond, I let everything pass, because I knew there’d be a moment when karma would inevitably take care of everything, which sure enough, it did.
6. Dealing with administration takes time, patience, and professionalism. No matter how unprofessional the professionals are, and no matter how “in the right” you are, there’s a time and place for every protest, question, or even comment. Professionalism will more often than not help your case.
7. Never let a moment in which you can teach someone go to waste. Never.
jose, who will not lose …
